In comparison with controls, serum IL-6 was significantly high both in simple steatosis (mean 2.863 vs. 1.224 pg/ml; P < 0.001) and NASH patients (mean 3.136 vs. 1.224 pg/ml; P < 0.001), whereas serum TNF-α elevation was only significant in NASH group (mean 1.803 vs. 1.405 pg/ml; P = 0.026). Patients with NASH had a significantly higher expression of TNF-α mRNA in liver tissue than those with simple steatosis. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is steatosis.